Lo-d Sand-c drove from his moorings, or, Tack about is fair play

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William Humphrey
Lo-d Sand-c drove from his moorings, or, Tack about is fair play
etching
image: 201 x 316 mm; plate mark: 229 x 345 mm; sheet: 241 x 357 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2413
Published: 
[London] : Sold by W. Humphrey no. 227 Strand, [March 1782]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Inscription: 

With the names of the individuals depicted written in ink in the upper margin.

Notes: 

Title from item.
Date of publication from BM Satires.

Summary: 

"Three outgoing ministers are being knocked off their seats by their successors. The ministers are or have been seated on stones resembling mile-stones, engraved with the title of their office. They are all in profile to the left, facing their successors. Sandwich (centre), on a stone inscribed "First Lo--d of the Adm--ty", is being knocked backwards by Admiral Keppel, his successor, who threatens him with clenched fists, saying, "Strike your false Colours". Sandwich is saying "That broadside has broke my Bowsprit". From his pocket falls a small paper, "List of the navy". Round his waist is a rope with a broken end, the other end of which is still attached to an anchor which lies on the ground beside him, inscribed "Rotten for want of care". Lord North (right), very short and fat, is being knocked backwards by Fox, who has a fox's head. His stone is inscribed "Prime Minis--r"; he says, "O Reynard if I fall I shall burst". Fox says to him, "Buss Constable". By this stone He two bars inscribed "Soap" and a cask inscribed "12 Shilling Small Beer", to indicate the taxes recently proposed by North, see BMSat 5964, &c. To the left Lord Amherst, in general's uniform and wearing spurred top-boots, is seated on the stone inscribed "[Gen]eral of al[l] the Land Forces". Conway stands opposite him, threatening him with his fists and saying, "That Staff shall be mine". Amherst says, "Where's my reserved courage--oh-- its in my breeches". In the foreground (left) sits Britannia, her shield beside her, holding her spear and stretching out an arm towards Keppel. She says Britons strike home."--British Museum online catalog.

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